Day In The Life of a Cruise Ship Deck Officer

[@jimneufeld1073]

I have been a shift worker my whole life and understand how beat up you can feel over long periods of early, late work. I just passed my 40 year mark driving buses for Transit, Greyhound for 30 years and back to Transit after Greyhound died here in Canada. My wife and I hope to be able to get back to cruising in the next year. Appreciate your content. Be safe.

[@SameShipDifferentDay]

Thanks Jim. You definitely feel my pain!

[@DaveJonescruise]

Hi Alfie, I really enjoy your insights into the life on board, as an experienced cruiser I've always wondered what a day entails for the crew and bridge officers are like and what is behind those crew only doors, so thank you for the time you spend making the great videos and keep safe.

[@IAD_Flyer]

Just an FYI Clear Eyes are not meant to be used indefinitely.

[@fredashay]

Yeah, but if those hours he gave at the start of the video are true, he works a 16 hour day and gets 8 hours to eat and sleep between shifts. That's a grueling schedule! That's how slaves were treated!

[@todddawes2759]

@@fredashay They do 2 x 4 hour watches, so 8 hours, and an hour or so of admin.... NOT 16 hour days so to speak

[@jerromjoseph3185]

@@todddawes2759 2×4 navigational watchkeeping, 2×4 deck work.

[@FlyTheGuppy15]

Hey Alfie, live here in CT as well!! Small world. Thanks for this video, contemplating switching careers later in life from International Jet Pilot to Deck Officer, good insight into your world.

[@anniebox9589]

I've been fascinated with the life inside a ship since I learned all about the Titanic and her officers. I find it quite fascinating that not many things changed regarding the routine of your job since 1912. Of course you have different technology, you have to deal with bigger ships and you have more stuff to do in your little spare time. Nevertheless the core of your job hasn't changed much and that's incredible. So glad i found this channel, all the best from Italy.

[@irishinusa1615]

Great to see you 😀 👍 reminds me of my Air Force days. Harder to do when older my friend 🥰👊👍

[@chrisparker1875]

i would love those shifts i have done shifts all my life but to be on the bridge and not have to deal with the public on a ship bloody fantastic.

[@wendykoek6757]

Good to see you back on KZbin again doing great videos as always and hope to see cruising back in Australia 🇦🇺 soon as our ships are lowed back

[@trondhansen9896]

please make a video about navigation and the instruments you use. how do you avoid bad weather to make the cruise more comfortable for the guests and crew.

[@mclaeanosopolar2252]

This seems like the perfect dream job. Being an Officer on a ship, not really having to deal with public as much as crew, and amazing food.

[@discotequilasunset]

and all that while travelling the world

[@discotequilasunset]

@Lilman Yellow but if you don’t wanna have kids you’ll be great!

[@Quick045]

@Lilman Yellow For sure it has cons, however the time you spend on-board, is the same amount of time you'll spend back on shore, paid leave! :D

[@lukaknezevic8543]

On 99% vessels is not this good. This gives fake perspective of job. Only you are on cruises or gas tankers it is not worth the money

[@WickyGames]

First you would need to be an officer to have the same experience. Also, 5 hours of sleep a night does not sound nice

[@Turvamies]

I'm about to start my studies to become a deck officer so I found this video really helpful and encouraging

[@joe00897]

How are you finding it and where do you study?

[@lelextro5362]

U made it?

[@dqf9830]

How did u enjoy nav math lol or celestial or hydrostatics lol

[@AlanNobleNE]

This looks like a Sun Class ship. I worked as videographer on the former Sun Princess. It’s so good to see BTS again after 4 years on shore.

[@jeremy1350]

Hi Alfie, long time no see. Hope you are keeping well over there. Hoping for more industry decisions to get back in the water, so to speak. Greetings from Montreal.

[@SameShipDifferentDay]

Thanks Jeremy!

[@bamareb1968]

Very very interesting. Completely different perspective. Thanks. Subbed.

[@brianstuart1867]

Nice presentation, Alfie, thanks for the video. Kudos for the good editing in the eyedrops sequence. Very smooth! All the best to you.

[@GaryMeolaJr]

Thanks for sharing your day Alfie. Very cool to see how your routine goes, i am sure when you get home from contract you must sleep for days to get catch up. ✌🏻

[@Mirily]

Fair play to you Alfie! I'm tired just watching this! 😴

[@davidlockwood9192]

great stuff, brings back the memories of being a watch-keeping officer! Loved the short commute to work, often I trained up the 3rd mate to make sure there was a coffee waiting for me on the chart table when I arrived for my watch!

[@Connor_cwj]

OMG I WAS ON THIS CRUISE A FEW WEEKS AGO. room 12012. Deck 12 was amazing place and the cruise was amazing ( especially cruise director Damien)

[@christymurphy6571]

Mad respect for you & rest of officers. Also mad respect for the entire crew on a cruise ship.

[@cheluga]

Omg I can tell with the carpet the bathroom and deck 12 it's pacific explorer!! We're you on the cruise x337 from August 29 to sept 9??? I was on that

[@scottlewisparsons9551]

Thank you for another great video.

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

Thank you so much for sharing a typical day in your four month contract, Alfie! I get so sleepy watching TV that without high doses of caffeine, I would never be able to stay awake during night watch, but I'm 62 now. Thank you for being a great seamen or a Merchant Marine.

[@3716anderson]

Welcome back!!!!

[@croberts709]

It's good to see you again. Thanks for posting. My husband was in the Navy and he told me about these kind of shifts. I didn't really grasp how it worked (though I think he was 4 on 4 off - not sure). Seeing you go through your day is an eye opener. It looks exhausting.

[@Craigerry]

back in 2009-2013 on submarines we'd do 6 on 12 off for at sea watch sections. They may do it differently now though.

[@trbarton743]

Great video…Thanks!

[@ZanderRound]

Wow dude your sleep pattern is as bad as mine 🤣great insight, these kind of videos always fascinate me, also dude you work on a boat, how cool is that?! ☝️☝️

[@BlackCatMargie]

Glad you're back. 👍

[@debbielandes2626]

I would be a walking zombie! I need more sleep than that!

[@ozhair1]

welcome back last heard you were heading to manila for crew change time flys , things here in Sydney australia getting worse with lockdown , take care Alfie

[@mspalmboy]

I look forward to the day you can make a video telling us about cruises resuming in Australia.

[@Bill_N_ATX]

What do you do if one of the watch keepers gets ill? I’m not talking a serious illness but one that might require taking a medication like decongestants, or causes you to not be able to keep watch? Air crew would be grounded. Is something similar done for you guys? Or do the other watch keepers just have to cover for you?

[@SameShipDifferentDay]

Hi William. Other officers would cover the watch until the officer in question is fit for duty. Most commonly the Safety Officer, who is usually day work, will take a watch to avoid reducing the rest time of other watchkeepers

[@gwynethglas-brown9171]

Thats heavy split shift over all those months 😮 ( i thought my night shift. Going onto day shift in my nursing job was tough many years ago ) Does take a getting use to . Wauw beautiful footage 😍

[@lindadoerr7919]

Hi again Alfie, Great to see you! Any word when your ship may resume cruising with passengers? It looks so lonely now 🥺

[@SameShipDifferentDay]

Hi Linda. Unfortunately not at this stage, but some cruises have started up around the world

[@bernalfiesaysip5191]

I love it! More videos to come, mate!

[@hidifung9234]

Long time no see🤗

[@johnslanicky]

GREAT to see you Alfie! 🙂 👍 Thanks for the update. Good to see everyone having fun playing table tennis- a great stress reliever from the daily duties. Looking forward to future updates. Be well! 👍🙏

[@pfscpublic]

Would love to know more about what is involved in Watch, and how it is changing or not with technology change - what is being automated and what can't be automated, what are your tools of trade and are they changing?

[@SameShipDifferentDay]

Hi Paul. There’s a Bridge Tour coming up soon, but I may also discuss the watchkeeping in more detail in a future video. Thanks for watching

[@austinkelly8608]

It’s amazing how similar life as a 2nd office with NCL is to yours.

[@thomasmurray3920]

As a retired Navy officer I was particularly interested in the bridge and navigation, but doubtless you can’t show much if that fir security reasons. Our days at sea were filled up with many more things related to maintenance, training if the crew, and there were times when we were only in three section watches so sleep was even harder to get, although I never had to resort to eye drops. I am VERY jealous of your accommodations, though. Space is at a premium in a warship, and we never had an espresso machine. Navy coffee is notoriously bad, LOL. At one time I had thought about taking the second mate’s test (having been both a navigator and in charge of the desk crew on a supply ship) but the employment situation in the US Merchant Marine was rock bottom. So instead I went to jump school and joined a Marine Corps airborne unit.

[@geofffreeman6167]

Wishing you and all the crews well as you keep watch. Job well done !

[@nayanmenezes9546]

You look like sleep Deprived. Why don't the management hire more officers so everybody gets proper rest.

[@kennethgottschalk6056]

When I stood radio watches on USN ships, in port we stood 2 eight hour MID watches, 2 eight hour EVE watches and 2 eight hour DAY watches then 72 hours off. At sea, we stood Port and Starboard watches, 12 hours on and 12 hours off.

[@wslan6080]

A younger me would love that career, and the amazing coffee machine would definitely help!!

[@JCResDoc94]

YOURE THE ONLY ONE ON BOARD, ARENT YOU? THIS IS YOUR BASEMENT!

[@kathyroubian4086]

So glad your back, look forward to your posts.

[@WhoDaresWins-B20]

Hey there. How about showing us some of the food that is served to you chaps. Just keep the camera focused on the tucker mate.

[@kokkiem]

The question has probably been asked before, ... do you mix /integrate with the (I hate to qualify) the "lower'and/or'higher' ranks ? Does each " rank/profession" has its own eating/distracting and sleeping facilities/areas/advantages? Do you think you're wages are justified? You look exhausted... (sorry, just being honest).

[@stevec9669]

Wired shift schedule. Must be tough to get used to. I will choose 8-12 shift.

[@carold8345]

There you are. 👀 ing good. Are you at home now? I see you recorded this months ago and you previously said you were at the end of tour. Why did you wear a mask? Wasn’t everyone vaccinated and completed a quarantine period? Thanks for sharing!

[@SameShipDifferentDay]

Hi Carol, thank you. Yes home now but catching up on videos. Unfortunately very few onboard were vaccinated and masks were required when indoors

[@carold8345]

@@SameShipDifferentDay I saw you on Tech is Hard channel. That is a good podcast. Thanks for sharing.

[@sahilnakra2207]

Hey mate! Firstly I would like to thank you for making your viewers more aware about how the routine is and what to expect as an officer. However do you have something related to how life of a fellow engineering officer is onboard and something about their routine coming up in your future videos? Thank you!

[@danielmccray7013]

Looks familiar! As a Quartermaster in the Navy we had a routine like this while at sea!

[@annaadams5612]

Hi Alfie! Hope you're enjoying your vacation. I noticed someone else mentioned Clear Eyes - that you shouldn't use it long term. My eye Dr said the same thing, and he told me to purchase Lumify by Bausch and Lomb. He said it doesn't have any side effects like the other (mainly dry eyes) and that it clears your eyes in 1 minute. Not sure if you can get it where you're located, but I'd give it a try if you can find it. Liked your video. I'd probably lay there not being able to fall asleep cause I think I'll sleep thru my alarm! Looking forward to more videos!

[@SameShipDifferentDay]

Hi Anna. Thank you very much for the recommendation. I’ll see if I can get some!

[@ivanwitt8882]

Hi Alfie, I really enjoyed the episode and seeing behind the scenes such as the wardroom. I sailed both with P&O Princess and the RAN. With Princess we worked standing watches for the time we were onboard which I think allows your body clock to get into a routine. Navy often ran a routine whereby you stood rolling watches with the routine being changed by splitting the Dog watch (1600 - 2000) into two, two hour watches which meant you never got into a fixed routine however depending upon the number of watch keeping officers every fourth night you got a full nights sleep. Think I preferred the standing watch routine. Do you still have ancillary duties such as acting as a boat coxswain in boat ports, LSA maintenance and survey work? Cheers Ivan

[@SameShipDifferentDay]

Hi Ivan. Yeah it’s good to have a routine, and yes I have LSA inspections and various safety related duties, as well as administrative and passage planning duties. Though the majority of passage planning is done by the 1st Officer

[@briangasser973]

I thought cruise lines were accepting passengers again. Confusing considering that airplanes in the US are packed and rental cars are hard to find, that the cruise industry is still not back.

[@SameShipDifferentDay]

Hi Brian. Some have started back up now

[@Kalle1762]

You should implement 5-3 watch instead of 4-8, everyone is so much well rested and you dont have to split the resting.

[@dqf9830]

Illegal to be on the bridge that long

[@Michael_CS615]

Be interesting to see a track map of where the ship has been for the past week (or whatever).

[@jeffgunter8507]

Thanks Alfie. Very interesting. No way I could keep your schedule!

[@marymcmann9546]

This split shift would not be for me! Why don’t they schedule regular 7 to 8 hour shifts around the clock? Glad to see you have a good coffee machine on board. I would be putting 2 of those espresso shots in my cappuccino if I had to work your schedule!

[@gailcraig4495]

Nope....couldn't do it! Good on ya tho! 👌

[@coryoplayer]

Happy Saturday from Canada Alfie!!! I was just thinking of you yesterday. So you're ears must have been ringing. (wink, wink - giggle, giggle) That would be a HUGE no for me doing what you've been doing. Especially for 4 - 5 months. 3 questions. These 4 hours shifts are still the way even when the ship is full of paying passengers? I ask because there might be more bridge staff then. Does the captain do these shorter shifts as well? And, is it hard on the eyes to walk onto the bridge when it's so freaking dark? So now the wait to see if you're off the ship yet? Which I'm guessing you are. Take care of yourself as well Alfie.

[@SameShipDifferentDay]

Hi Cory, it’s good to be back! Yes shift patterns are the same with or without passengers onboard and the captain just does day work most of the time so not required to take a watch. We usually come up 15 minutes or so early so our eyes can adjust to the dark. And I won’t ruin the surprise in videos to come!

[@RM-cv4tl]

Could you please make a video about how you became an officer on a cruise ship? I’m curious and would love to hear your story

[@kevinc6763]

There was a pandemic still a year ago...? 😂

[@lanimorgan2379]

Hi Alfie, Thanks for sharing your day. Like the Clear Eyes transition.

[@erinkstansell4246]

USA your nice looking very interesting 😊

[@kbintheuk4262]

BLINKING(eyes) `ECK Alfie - how do you handle those crazy sleep pattens mate? I dont think I could do it. When will you be taking passengers on board again? Stay safe - KEV

[@SameShipDifferentDay]

Lots of naps! No idea fleet wise Kev, but a few cruises have started up in the US and soon in the UK

[@TraceUK]

I am so insanely jealous of both your job and your lifestyle! I lost my career in Aviation due to losing my other half and becoming a single parent. Which I do love but honestly, what you do is my absolute dream! ⚓️🚢 Embrace every moment for those of us who will never get the opportunity! 🇬🇧

[@lesliemckay2835]

Great to see you again. How are the studies going? Do we get to call you First Officer Alfie yet? When you get another contract, do you have to go through all the quarantine procedures again when you join a new ship? Things are not that good right now in Australia, but my cruise on the Pacific Explorer on 20th December 2021 ex Melbourne is till listed as sailing as scheduled. Fingers crossed.

[@kevinturner8078]

Have booked Pacific Explorer in march

[@jucsmiles5922]

Thanks for sharing. Yes, you have to keep a good sleep schedule. Questions: How many watchmen are there per timeframe? And, what are you watching for?

[@SameShipDifferentDay]

There are 2 officer and 2 lookouts. We navigate or maintain a port/anchor watch so lots of things to monitor. Of course traffic situation being a high priority, especially in Asia. I’ve got a bridge tour coming up on the channel so you’ll get a better idea then.

[@chastheplayer8367]

Thats crazy…you dont get enough sleep

[@jfmezei]

I though the lack of videos was because you had gone home! What is the rationale of giving you multiple shifts and not provide for 8 hour sleep? Concerns about alertness at end of 8 hour shift? I would have though that preventing proper sleep every day would end up degrading your alertness all the time. Do all crew work the same shifts or only the bridge crew? (so when your girldfriend is on board, so you have matching sleep cycles, or is it a challenge to be on similar shifts? Also very mad thjat you panned camera away from the keypad so we can't find out the code to get on the bridge :-) How much of your work is done from a well lighted office vs dark bridge when on duty during darjk hours? is it hard to stay awake in a dark bridge for 4 hours when the ship is idle and not much happening?

[@gwenmarshall587]

So you said you are four months on, so are you then normally two months off or some other period of time off? Also are you now underway or just manning the bridge while the ship stays in basically the same location?

[@paulconnors2078]

Do you ever sail with US licensed officers or are they restricted to sailing in Us flagged ships?

[@josephjackson7269]

Just completed our 65th cruise and the officers have a good situation compared to crew but I have been told if they don’t stay on top of their responsibilities there is hell to pay. So officers are under a different kind of stress

[@SyriusStarMultimedia]

I experienced this KZbin Channel name for 12 straight days once.

[@suitelifeatsea]

I work the same way as you do, as captain. But as it is on a domestic Norwegian ferry I do not stay on board for quite as long as you do :) Longest I have been on board I think is 8 weeks. However everything will be a routine after a while. So even though it will be minimal sleeping, the days goes and before you know it you will be going home! :) Nice films!

[@justinnoice399]

Allie, interesting how your 12-4 days differed from mine. Mine were actually backward to yours. I used to try to get into bed by 0430 and then sleep solid until 1130. Quick shower and a bite to eat and I was on watch until 1600. Then I did paperwork, dinner and read a book. No nap before watch, just another shower. I found the 0430-1130 sleep was sufficient for me and better in in one go rather than try to split. Later I absolutely hated 4-8, would always do the afternoon nap thing and often woke up at 3.30 never quite knowing if it was 0330 or 1530. Found that quite disturbing. 4 month thrips these days are a luxury, my longest single trip was 7m 26d 5h 15m ….. not that I was counting!

[@cathydrew2569]

I hope you don't have problems with insomnia. The sleep issues would kill me.

[@LangsamUndLaut]

Sorry the question,but,do you as an officer sometimes join the crew partys etc or is that only „crew“ ?

[@CallenIGuess]

I'd struggle not being able to take a little more time for myself. However, you make it look easy! Definitely seems to have its perks so all the power to you, cool job!

[@davidhillsbroker]

Watching this video today 21/7/2023 having been on that ship in March

[@ildikoszeri4892]

Very Nice english and Pronounciation, Thanks for the vids.

[@kevinturner9197]

Hi all going well will be on the Pacific Explorer in march next year on a 10 day cruise looking forward to it...

[@joshuamiller2627]

I got hired on by Norwegian Cruiseline and after all the paperwork training medical exam I will be assigned to Pride of America ship and I plan to work my way up the ladder

[@AxelQC]

Is the pool open for you?

[@SameShipDifferentDay]

Yes fortunately!

[@hazelhood7456]

I don’t think I could handle split shifts like that. Interesting look at shipboard life, thank you

[@sq1rlsqu4d]

Aye, split shifts are a nightmare; I did them for a few years, never again, and I'm certainly glad that I wasn't responsible for anything like a cruise liner...

[@petescott]

I worked on the Dawn Princess in 2002 and this looks identical!! It just freaked me out as I wasn't expecting to see my old gym (worked as fitness). Crazy how not much changes over two decades.

[@kellyacton5475]

Alfie your back! Nice to watch another video of yours. I think I'd be pretty good at managing the shift patterns. When do I start? Haha

[@gregorydaniels3884]

When will you be the rank of captain? Is that what you want to be someday?

[@SameShipDifferentDay]

It would probably take me another 10-15 years, I’m not sure if I’ll stay around long enough to make it that far

[@robertasinift1555]

Love the artwork in the officers mess!!

[@gregvideo07]

Great video thanks ! .. But those hours are crazy. Surely things can be organised so everyone gets time to sleep. Working longer in one stretch or maybe 6 hours then two is surely safer than doing two 4 hour shifts without ever having enough time to sleep.

[@1486230]

I was thinking the same thing. The schedule almost seems like the cruise line version of hazing. This can’t be safe in the long run.

[@javiereyelburgueno7225]

What about cadets? Do they have the same schedule?

[@SameShipDifferentDay]

Hi Javier. Yes for the most parts cadets have watches the same as us, however they are usually given a day to study each week without watch

[@CO.Boynton]

Love your video, I was a Executive Chef on NCL i worked 80 to 100 hrs a week keep up the good work

[@Travelling_Jonoberries]

Hey Alfie where the hell Re you

[@tayanimochoi]

Good day sir! I've watched some of your videos and all I can say is that it's quite informative, especially for people like me who will someday get on the cruise as a deck cadet. I am hoping you could make a video about your experience as a deck cadet onboard a cruise ship. Safe travels!

[@lauracaruso2547]

Younger days yes, now hell no. My weekends are not enough time off. lol

[@spookydude7449]

Being a now-retired Royal Marine of 22 years of service I think yes I could do that job.

[@pradeeprathi2600]

Hello Sir Myself Pradeep Rathi from India I have 9 months experience as a Deck Cadet on a Tanker ship. I want to join Cruise ship. Can you please guide me how to join a Cruise ship as a Deck Cadet? Thank you

[@blugameplay]

wow, clear eyes is amazing. it clears your eyes, gets you dressed and showered all in a split second after using them. that would totally save time, I need to get some.

[@corinnemacrae2212]

Nice to see your smiling face....and surprisingly clear eyes 😉

[@jenniferbrown469]

I definitely would not be able to handle officer's hours.